Shinto is the major religion in Japan along with Buddhism. Shinto is translated to mean "the way of the gods," a religious philosophy and practice without a founder and lacking sacred scriptures or texts (Shinto, 2011, p. 1). Because it is profoundly a part of the Japanese people and traditions, Shinto does not rely on ministry or preaching. Shinto gods are known as "kami;" sacred spirits that manifest into things and concepts relevant to existence, such as "wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility" (Shinto, 2011, p. 1). According to Japanese Shinto tradition, when human beings die they become kami and are respected by family members and their kami ancestors. There is a hierarchy among Shinto gods, despite its lack of other formal structures associated with religious or spiritual philosophies. For example, the Sun Goddess "Amaterasu" is considered the most important of Shinto kami.
Despite the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century, Shinto became the official state religion during the Meiji Period and remains the major Japanese religion today (Shinto, 2011). Unlike religions with absolute values, moral judgments and a monotheistic Deity, Shinto espouses no absolutes. It is an optimistic faith where there are no absolute right or wrongs and no one is perfect. Humans are considered "fundamentally good" and evil is thought to be the product of "evil spirits" (Shinto, 2011, p. 1). Through the practices of purification, prayers, offerings to kami and other Shinto rituals, evil spirits are kept at bay. Kami reside in Shinto shrines that serve as houses of worship. Festivals to express the kami to the outside world are routinely held at such kami shrines. Shinto priests perform Shinto rituals and reside on shrine grounds.
The men and women who serve as Shinto priests are permitted to marry and have children. A very egalitarian religion, Shinto pries
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